Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
The public transport system is an easy and fun way to get around the country and is often part of the adventure. Trains, buses, trams, boats, cable cars – big and small and funiculars will take you past, up, down and through spectacular landscapes. I am still amazed at how the seemingly unreachable corners of the country are reachable to anyone. You will sometimes need to be brave when gliding up the edge of mountains or zig-zagging around a steep switchback road, but rest assured, Switzerland does have an excellent safety record and these train, bus and cable car operators are experts at what they do. One of my favourite forms of transport is the traditional yellow post buses that wind their way daily through every part of the country to transport locals and tourists.
To help you to experience some of these amazing transport links I have listed both the various offers to tourists and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland‘s network connection recommendations
Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Top of Hoher Kasten cable car, Appenzell
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a 1,600 km circular road trip, recommended by the tourist board for taking in the best parts of Switzerland by car. Included on these routes are large red frames that reveal views of iconic places like Montreux, Interlaken and Lucerne as well as some hidden gems such as in the hills of the Gruyère and Emmental regions, parts of the UNESCO Sardona Arena, overlooking St. Gallen and up cable cars in Appenzell.
Switzerland tourism has come up with a brilliant way to see the country by public transport. The Grand Train Tour merges 1,380 km of panoramic train journeys, giving visitors the chance to combine routes that pass through top destinations spread throughout Switzerland. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland App can be found online at switzerlandtravelcentre.com, or for travel suggestions, prices, timetables and a downloadable pdf guide go to sbb.ch/leisure-holidays. It is also possible to pick up a booklet from the Swiss Travel desks found at most train stations.
For an idea of travelling times between points see below:
- Zürich-Lucerne-Interlaken: 2 3/4 hours
- GoldenPass (Montreux – Gstaad – Interlaken): 3 3/4 hours
- Montreux – Visp – Zermatt: 2 1/2 hours
- Glacier Express (Zermatt – Chur – St. Moritz): 7 3/4 hours
- Bernina Express (St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano): 6 3/4 hours
- Gotthard Panorama Express (Lucerne – Flüelen – Lugano): 5 1/2 hours
- Voralpen Express (Lucerne – Rapperswil – St. Gallen): 2 1/4 hours
- St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich: 2 1/2 hours
Getting to know the Tickets, Passes & Discounts
Brienzer Rothorn Mountain Train, Photo by A.Leggett
All information below is valid as of March 2024. For up-to-date ticket prices and types please go to sbb.ch.
Supersaver Tickets
For one-way or day trips it’s worth looking at the super saver ticket option online. They are not always available but you don’t know until you look so it is worth trying this option:
- Go to sbb.ch (you can change the language to English)
- Enter from/to, then date, and approx. time. Once you have done this it will give you a choice of connections.
- When the price (shown to the right of each connection) has a % sign and is highlighted in black – this is the super saver ticket price. If the price is in white, then no supersaver ticket is available for that route (If you are flexible with dates, click on the change option beside the chosen date and time then try another date).
- Click on the red ticket box and follow your nose.
- If there is no super saver ticket for that route, you may still find one for the return journey.
- Go to singe/return journey options – click return.
- You are given train options and a choice of ticket. This will tell you if there are any savings on the return journey (with the black box and % icon).
- NOTE: IF you go for the supersaver ticket, then you can only travel at the times that you have chosen.
- Go back and put in your details and add other passenger details – following instructions from then on. Happy Saving!
Day Pass and Saver Day Pass – 1 ticket for travelling throughout the country on a given day
If booking ahead it is possible to make big savings on a nationwide pass.
The Day Pass is a ticket that allows you to purchase a discounted ticket for anywhere in Switzerland, within the GA area.
The Saver Day Pass allows you to pre-book a nationwide ticket up to 60 days ahead – the earlier you book the more likely you will find a good deal. To do this you go to sbb.ch website, go to tickets and offers/tickets/day passes/saver day pass or search Saver Day Pass and the option to purchase will give more details of daily prices. Is also possible without a half-fare card.
Standard tickets and Day Passes
Apart from the special passes detailed below, you can purchase either single or return tickets for single trips, in 1st or 2nd class. These can be done online at www.sbb.ch, or at a ticket counter at most train stations.
When overnighting
Worth knowing … When using accommodation in most areas – you are entitled to a guest card (after paying a small tourism tax amount per person). This option gives you free or discounted travel on local public transport and discounts on activities in the area you are staying in. Ask at your accommodation.
Public Transport offers for visitors to Switzerland
Below I have listed the current Swiss Travel Passes (3/24) for anyone living outside Switzerland. – as always, this is subject to change. You can find out more from myswitzerland.com/rail.
Go to the Tickets and offers/Tickets/Guests from Abroad/Swiss Travel Pass to purchase a ticket online. The advantages such as discounts etc. will be listed here. (Or purchase them by visiting the major train stations or even from your country).
For multi-day pass options and prices see below:
